The couple had been married for eight years. He did everything for her: cared for her, protected her, absolutely spoiled her rotten. She was always being told what a wonderful husband she had. Once, she even lost her wedding ring in the sea, and her husband calmly surprised her with a new one that same week.
So everyone knows youre takenand, more importantly, that youre mine, he explained as he presented her with the gift.
She certainly enjoyed the attention, and the posh presents were nothing to sniff at either. Yet, rather like a brick wall standing snugly behind her husband, she somehow failed to notice that she gave him rather less in return. When it came to his birthday, shed offer up little more than a romantic dinner, while he never skimpedalways something exciting and not at all cheap, and a grand bouquet of roses to boot. She didnt often treat him to special meals either, insisting, with the air of someone imparting wisdom, that both were simply too knackered after work for fancy feasts. A cheese toastie or a cheeky curry delivered to their door would just have to do.
Her husband, to his credit, never complained about this, but her mother certainly did.
Youve got a second ring now, and your poor husband still doesnt have one. Have you ever thought to buy him one all these years? All the girls must ogle himthey havent a clue hes married.
That smarted, she had to admit. Shed always preferred other women not to notice her husband at allhe was, after all, far too handsome for anyones peace of mind. It had never occurred to her that it might be because he wasnt wearing a wedding ring.
Back when they got married, they could only just scrape together enough for her ring, so hed borrowed one off a mate for the ceremony. It was promptly returned after the I dos, and even after fortunes improved, he didnt treat himself to that sort of luxury for quite a while.
She didnt fuss with timing or significant dates. She simply popped out and bought him a ring. A simple gold band, nothing ostentatious. That evening, when he got back from work, he found a little velvet box waiting for him on the bedside table.
Whats all this? he asked, bemused. Have you treated yourself to something new?
Its for you, she managed, barely keeping her excitement in check.
Of course, he wasnt expecting a thing, but when he opened the box, he was absolutely chuffed.
You bought this for me? He slipped the ring onto his finger, swept her up in a bear hug, and said, Thank you! I was going to ask you to choose one together, but getting it from youhonestly, that was just lovely. So, is this your second proposal then?
They had a good laugh and a cuddle, then happily sauntered off to the kitchen to make supper togetherafter all, the weekend awaited, and who can say no to a proper home-cooked meal now and again?
